LOGIN“Not yet,” Adrian replies. “She’s got a lot going on right now, but once things settle, I’ll tell her… I’m not about to let her slip through my fingers.”His words land heavier than they should. It’s just a simple confession, but it hits me like a two-edged blade, slicing somewhere in my heart.I do
NOAH.I’m sitting across from Adrian and Gunner, my mind still reeling from the hard truth they just hit me with.I can’t deny it. Back then, I would’ve shut down anyone who dared to speak against Chloe. I would’ve defended her without question. But now, after reading that entry, after the illusion
He studies me, waiting for the rest.“I kept my mouth shut because you were happy,” I continue. “And it wasn’t my place to blow up your marriage just because I thought she was two-faced.”His jaw tightens and silence settles over the table, but for once, Noah actually listens instead of snapping bac
ADRIAN.I walk into the private whiskey lounge after dropping Sierra at home, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t still riding that high, especially when I remember her beautiful smile.This has been our favorite place for years. Inside, warm amber light washes over dark mahogany walls and deep leat
“Inhale through your nose,” she continues. “Slowly. Deeply. Let your ribs expand.”I breathe in.“For four… three… two… one. Hold. And release.”The room fills with the sound of synchronized exhaling and honestly, it’s strangely powerful.We move through gentle stretches, supported child’s pose with
Then I see it. A low, cream-colored building tucked into the greenery. Large windows. Wooden accents. A stone pathway leading up to double glass doors. There’s a small wooden sign near the entrance with delicate script burned into it.Willow Grove Prenatal Wellness.I blink at it.“Adrian…”He parks
The hot chocolate arrives. She wraps her hands around the cup… or tries to, but they still shake so badly she can barely hold it steady.“Here,” I murmur, sliding closer.I cover her hands with mine just enough to hold the cup for her. Her breath hitches, and her shoulders drop a fraction.“It’s oka
The silence that follows after Brook leaves feels like a living thing. For a long moment, I just stand there, staring at the wood grain of the door as if I could still see her face on the other side. Her words linger, crawling under my skin like invisible ants, biting and burning. My chest feels too
No wonder there were maids I’d never seen before. I thought they worked in rotation, but maybe new ones were hired after the others were fired.I stand there speechless, still reeling from what I’d just learned. It just didn’t make any sense to me. Why would he fire them over gossip?I open my mouth
She laughs, and for a few minutes, the sound fills the room, But then, out of nowhere, her tone shifts.“I’m glad you’re here. I love that you are here,” she says quietly. “I miss Mommy, but when you’re around, it’s not so sad.”The words pierce something deep in me. My throat tightens, and I blink







